An Excursion to Canada
Henry David Thoreau
Chapter I. Concord to Montreal
Chapter II. Quebec and Montmorenci
Chapter III. St. Anne
Chapter IV. The Walls of Quebec
Chapter V. The Scenery of Quebec; and the River St. Lawrence
New England is by some affirmed to be an island, bounded on the north with the River Canada (so called
from Monsieur Cane). -
Josselynes Rarities.
And still older, in Thomas Mortones "New English Canaan," published in 1637, it is said, on page 97,
"From this Lake [Erocoise] Northwards is derived the famous River Canada, so named, of Monsier de
Cane, a French Lord, who first planted a Colony of French in America."
Chapter I. Concord to Montreal
I fear that I have not got much to say about Canada, not having seen much; what I got by going to
Canada was a cold. I left Concord, Massachusetts, Wednesday morning Sep. 25th 1850, for Quebec. Fare
seven dollars there and back; distance from Boston five hundred and ten miles; being obliged to leave
Montreal on the return as soon as Friday Oct. 4th, or within ten days. I will not stop to tell the reader the
names of my fellow travellers; there were said to be fifteen hundred of them. I wished only to be set
down in Canada, and take one honest walk there, as I might in Concord woods for an afternoon.
The country was new to me beyond Fitchburg. In Ashburnham and afterward, as we were whirled rapidly
along, I noticed the woodbine, (Ampelopsis quinquefolia) its leaves now changed, for the most part on
dead trees, draping them like a red scarf. It was not a little exciting, suggesting bloodshed, or at least a
military life, like an epaulet or sash, as if it were dyed with the blood of the trees whose wounds it was
inadequate to staunch. For now the bloody autumn was come, and an Indian warfare was waged through
the forest. These military trees appeared very numerous, for our rapid progress connected those that were
even some miles apart. Does the woodbine prefer the elm? The first view of Monadnoc was obtained five
or six miles this side of Fitzwilliam, but nearest and best at Troy and beyond. Then there were the Troy
cuts and embankments. Keene street strikes the traveller favorably, it is so wide, level, straight, and long.
I have heard one of my relatives who was born and bred there say that you could see a chicken run across
it a mile off. I have also been told that when this town was settled they laid out a street four rods wide,
but at a subsequent meeting of the proprietors one rose and remarked, "We have plenty of land, why not
make the street eight rods wide?" and so they voted that it should be eight rods wide, and the town is
known far and near for its handsome street. It was a cheap way of securing comfort, as well as fame, and
I wish that all new towns would take pattern from this. It is best to lay our plans widely in youth, for then
land is cheap, and it is but too easy to contract our views afterward. Youths so laid out, with broad
avenues and parks, that they may make handsome and liberal old men! Show me a youth whose mind is
like some Washington city of magnificent distances, prepared for the most remotely successful and
glorious life after all, when those spaces shall be built over, and the idea of the founder be realized. I trust
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